In Mercer and Lawrence counties there will soon be a group of folks, specially trained to spread news that can save lives.

The Witness Project’s message is to spread the news that women – especially African-American women – can survive breast cancer.

Black women are less likely to discuss the subject or get examined by physicians, according to Marcy Bencivenga of the Penn State University College of Medicine. The Witness Project started in Arkansas 20 years ago to try to change that. It trains African-American breast cancer survivors to speak to churches, community groups and at other places where black women gather to educate them about the importance of self-examination and mammograms.

Now a national initiative, Farrell Mayor Olive McKeithan – who also serves as executive director of Minority Health – heard about the program and organized a local training session to set up a local chapter of The Witness Project to serve Mercer and Lawrence counties. It’s the first project in Pennsylvania and the 28th in the country.

The program seeks out cancer survivors who are trained to speak to groups of women to educate them about breast cancer prevention and treatment.

Mattye Willis is a 35-year breast cancer survivor from Arkansas who serves as training director for the program.

“I’ve walked in the shoes, and here’s what you need to do,” is how Ms. Willis describes what the project’s “witnesses” do.

“Anywhere there’s a group of women to listen,” the project’s witnesses will speak, Ms. Willis said.

They share their survival stories and teach women how to perform breast self-examinations. They also encourage women to take care of themselves, Ms. Willis said.

Women – especially in African-American families – are often so occupied with taking care of others that they neglect themselves.

Farrell resident and cancer survivor Lila Savage is one of the 40 women from the Shenango Valley being trained in the program.

“We’re going to save lives and I’m going to be a part of it,” she said. “We’re just excited.”

Training will continue through October and Mrs. McKeithan said the local project should be up and running by November.

“I think it’s a great program,” Mrs. McKeithan said.